Small

Recent trends in contemporary art have meant that we've grown accustomed to large scale pieces, be that huge canvases, enormous sculptures, or giant installations.

However, the miniature has always been an important part of contemporary art. Be it paintings, sculpture, or photography as well as small format drawings, the reduced dimensions of the artwork puts new constraints on the artist, forcing them to develop their techniques and artistic finesse.

Jeff Wall, an American photographer known for his large scale photographic prints on huge illuminated boxes, has said that “the scale of a piece is not about the dimensions of it, but about the internal tensions within the composition".

Believe it or not, miniature pieces have many advantages. Smaller formats allow the artists to show off a different range of talents and techniques, and sometimes even create the impression of a much higher quality piece – such as engravings or prints. Creating a miniature is a sure sign of precision and skill.

They are also more practical to exhibit than the enormous artworks: we've all got a little space on a shelf ready to welcome a miniature sculpture, photo or drawing.

Another very practical aspect of miniatures is the myriad possibilities for display: you could put together a full shelf of statuettes, or even a dedicated framing wall – which is an increasingly popular method for display, and makes for the perfect decorative addition to a living room or bedroom. It's a mixed composition made up of an array of pieces – you guessed it – all on the same wall. The diminutive size of the miniatures also makes it easier to make sure your favourite pieces are displayed in pride of place.

Even artists who are known for their monumental works are slowly getting into miniatures, like Jeff Wall in his exhibition at the Cartier Foundation.

The miniature is making a big name for itself as a growing trend across the contemporary art world; from Gaspard Mitz, who creates tiny versions of the interiors of famous art galleries in his 'Box Stories', to the photography of Samsofy, who recreates scenes from daily life with miniscule Lego 'actors'.

Last but not least, the small scale of the pieces means that even big names come with small price tags, meaning that miniatures make excellent presents. So, go on, what are you waiting for? Browse our selection of miniature works now…

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Small

Dog house

Reveil matin

Reciprocity 8

Untitled

Scoop 2

Ali I

Petit Rhino

Deux indiens qui volent

Israel Flag at the Speed of Light

Cœur en trouée

Perchoir #6

Le voyage de l'apprentissage

Untitled #29

Untitled #22

Untitled #4

Untitled #3

Untitled #1

Estels naixents

Confidence

Michel Desjoyeaux

Both these expressions and especially the first are remarkable.

33 Tours

Memoir of loss X

Les boules

Punjab, Pakistan 2010

Jazz Ball

Scoop3

Untitled

Carnet de voyage VII

Pablo Picasso

Reciprocity 3

Littoral

The I Like The Way You Kiss Me

Untitled

Dans la lune

Lisbon, Portugal 1755

Columbia River 1948

Manufactura 16

Manufactura 9

Gold abstract painting #0012

White Spirit VI

White Spirit V

White Spirit III

White Spirit II

Untitled #42

[Screenshot]

Nouvelle Vague

I'm not your little princess

Portrait 1

Little Gulliver

Little Gulliver

Little Gulliver

Âlif - Clou cristal

Perspective d'animal

Acrobat

I thought I was rescued

I fell in love with an illusion of you

Madonna protégée par ses gorilles (1992)

Nana

Sirène

Cube

Gepetto et Pinocchio

Pinocchio fait une pousse

Le jour de gloire

View from the terrace (vertical version) - Positano painting & frame

Gina